Connecting element for profiled belt ends

ABSTRACT

A connecting element for holding at least one profiled belt end comprises at least two parts which can be connected to one another and in the installed state, enclose the belt end. One or more of the parts have sections with a negative profile corresponding to the belt end. The belt end is inserted into one or more of the parts in manner such that connection is formed-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of the joint.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connecting element for holding profiled beltends.

For carrying out limited positioning movements, as occur for exampleduring the opening and closing of gates or when operating machines thatperform oscillatory movements, profiled belts, e.g. toothed belts, areused. Compared to chain drives the use of such belts has the advantagethat they produce less noise. To meet the different requirements withregard to the length of the belts to be used, normally endless belts areused which can easily be reduced to the required size. Before operationthe belt ends are joined together by connecting elements.

Such a connecting element is known from the DE-GM 87 17 016. Thedisclosed connecting element comprises two opposite engaging elementsprovided with a negative image of the profiled belt end, into which thebelt ends are placed to create a connection which is form-locking in thedirection of movement of the belt. This connection is secured againstseparating or shifting by pushing a sleeve onto each of the engagingelements with belt end. The sleeve has inside walls which aredimensioned in such a way that a pressing force is exerted on the beltend and engaging element when the sleeve has been pushed on, which is toavoid not only a separating of the two parts to be connected, but alsoloosening of the sleeve. In the DE-GM 89 05 227 a connecting device isdisclosed with which the loosening of the pushed on sleeve is to beprevented by providing the sleeve with a projection which engages intoan annular groove of the connecting element.

Such devices have the disadvantage that, due to the many parts that arerequired, the manufacture and installation becomes relativelycomplicated and expensive. Furthermore, the problem exists that, forexample, due to vibrations or temperature fluctuations during operationthe sleeve, the belt ends come loose from the connecting element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to create a connecting elementfor profiled belt ends which ensures a secure connection and can easilybe manufactured and installed.

Proceeding from a device of the type mentioned in the foregoing thisobject is achieved in that the connecting element according to theinvention comprises at least two parts which can be connected to oneanother and in the installed state enclose the belt end, wherein one ormore of the parts have sections with a negative profiling correspondingto the profile of the belt end, and wherein the belt end can be insertedinto one or more of the parts in such a way that the connection isform-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of thejoint. Inserting the belt end into a part with a section shaped in thismanner ensures that the inserted belt end is secured against shifting orseparating not only in the direction of movement of the belt, but alsoin all directions that deviate from the direction of the joint. In theinstalled state the inserted belt end is enclosed by two or more parts,wherein the parts can be connected so that also a shifting in thedirection of the joint is excluded.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the partsof the connecting element are made identical. This simplifies themanufacture and supply of these parts and the replacing of a damagedpart will not pose any problems.

If belts or belt ends with different profiles must be connected, thenthe parts of the connecting element according to the invention can bemade such that differently profiled sections are provided foraccommodating the belt ends.

To facilitate a joining together of the connectable parts of theconnecting elements during installation, the parts may comprise pins andpin holes. For every pin on one of the parts a corresponding pin hole isprovided on the to be connected part, so that an exact installation ofthe parts is possible.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the outsidediameter of the pins and the inside diameter of the pin holes are madesuch that both during the joining together of the parts and also duringthe loosening of the parts frictional forces must be overcome. Thesefrictional forces exceed the stresses that occur during operation as aresult of vibrations or temperature fluctuations, as a result of which aloosening of the parts from one another and accordingly a loosening ofthe belt end from the connecting element is prevented.

The connection of the pins with the pin holes can be secured by materialadhesion. Such a connection can be produced, for example, by applying anadhesive layer on the pins prior to the joining together.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the partsof the connecting element are provided with aligned bores to hold ascrew. The inside diameter of such bores may be greater than the outsidediameter of the screws, so that the screws must be secured by a nut. Ifthe diameter of the bore is smaller than the outside diameter of thescrews, screws are used for the connection which during the insertioncut a screw thread and in this way create a solid connection. The boresmay also be provided with a pre-cut screw thread to hold correspondingscrews.

The joining together of the parts of the connecting elements by screwsensures that the parts are joined together detachable, but also solidly,so that a shifting or loosening of the belt end in the direction of thejoint is prevented.

For a further securing of the connection of the parts of the connectingelement, the parts may have flexible projections as well as recesses,wherein the flexible projections of the one part engage in correspondingrecesses of the part to be connected. This ensures a stable connectionalready before the parts are screwed together.

In a further embodiment of the present invention it is provided that, toloosen the projections from the recesses, openings are provided whichextend from the outside of the parts of the connecting element to theprojections. These openings are made in such a way that they are in linewith the projections. If the parts of the connecting element must beseparated, it is possible, for example, to introduce a screwdriverthrough the opening, as a result of which the flexible projections arebent in such a way that they are disengaged from the correspondingrecesses.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present connection it isprovided that the sections provided with a negative profiling are madein such a way that they correspond accurately to the profile of the beltend, as a result of which a force-locking in the direction of the jointis obtained. This ensures on the one hand a holding in position of thebelt end in the parts of the connecting element during installation andon the other hand an additional securing against a shifting of the beltend in the direction of the joint.

The connecting element may be provided with a recess or groove to hold adriver. With gate drives, for example, this driver is provided on a skidwhich moves in accordance with the movement of the belt and by amechanical connection with a gate brings about the opening an closing ofthe gate.

In a further embodiment of the present invention it is provided that inthe installed state the connecting element has a cylindrical shape andthe outside diameter of the cylinder is only slightly larger than thewidth of the accommodated belt. This embodiment has the advantage thatthe connecting element can also be used when only limited space isavailable and a construction with projections or edges would obstructthe movement of the belt or of the connecting element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained ingreater detail with reference to an exemplified embodiment illustratedin the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1, FIG. 2 show perspective exploded views of the connecting elementseen from different angles and

FIG. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The connecting element 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises the two parts30 and 30′ which, after inserting one or several belt ends, can beconnected to one another. The belt or belt ends are illustrated inphantom in the drawing. The part 30′ has sections 20 which comprise anegative image of the profile of the belt end. The belt end is placed inthe section 20 in such a way that a shifting or removing of the belt endfrom the part 30′ is possible only in the direction of the joint. Theteeth of the belt engage into the profiled side, which results in aform-locking connection in the direction of movement of the belt.Furthermore, a form-locking in all directions deviating from thedirection of the joint is achieved in that the inserted belt end on theside opposite the profiling is bounded by the flat side of the section20.

After inserting the belt end, part 30 is placed on part 30′. The part 30may also have a negative image of the profile of the belt end insections (not illustrated in the drawing) to accommodate the edge of thebelt end projecting beyond the part 30′. However, if the belt end isaccommodated over its entire width in the part 30′, the part 30 will nothave a profiled section and in this case serves as a cover. The stops 70serve as a lateral delimitation and guide and accordingly ensure acorrect inserting of the belt end.

The joining together of the parts 30 and 30′ takes place with the aid ofpins 40 and pin holes 42, wherein the two parts 30 and 30′ each havecorresponding pins 40 and pin holes 42. The pins 40 and pin holes 42serve as a guide for the joining, together of the parts 30 and 30′ andin addition, when the inside and outside diameters of the pins 40 andpin holes 42 are made with an accurate fit, can ensure a force-lockingconnection.

During operation the parts 30 and 30′ are secured against separating inparticular by the fact that screws 52 can be inserted through bores 50which extend through both parts 30 and 30′ and are in line with oneanother. With this the part 30′ is held by the screw head by means of aphase in the bore 50, whereas the fixing of the part 30 takes place by ascrew thread cut during the screwing in of the screw 52.

To prevent the parts 30 and 30′ from separating already duringinstallation as well as during operation, projections 60 and recesses 62are provided, as can be noted in particular from FIG. 2. The projections60 and recesses 62 extend on the outer periphery of the parts 30 and30′, wherein the two parts have corresponding projections and recesses.The projections 60 are made flexible and with an offset edge at theirfront end engage against a corresponding edge of the recess 62. Duringinstallation the flexible projection 60 is bent outwards until itengages into the recess 62. In the installed state the projections 62form a smooth and, therefore, easy to handle surface with the outside 12of the connecting element 10. A releasing of the projection 60 can takeplace on the one hand by lifting the projection 60 from the outside overthe edge of the recess 62. On the other hand it is possible, forexample, by introducing a screwdriver through a bore 64 provided in linewith the projection 60, to bend the projection from the inside until theedges of the projection 60 and recess 62 are no longer in contact andthe projection 60 can, therefore, be released.

As the connection by means of pins 40, screws 52 as well as projections62 is detachable, the belt can be removed from the connecting elementand be replaced by a longer or shorter belt.

Over part of the periphery of the connecting element 10 a recess 80 isprovided in the middle of the parts 30 and 30′. This serves toaccommodate a driver of, for example, a skid of a gate drive. The driverengages in the recess 80, but for safety reasons is not fixed to same.

After inserting the belt end in the parts 30 and 30′ the connectionelement 10 has a cylindrical shape, wherein the outside diameter of thecylinder only slightly exceeds the width of the accommodated belt. Thisarrangement is particularly advantageous when only limited space isavailable for the belt, which excludes the use of a large connectingelement or a connecting element with protuberant edges or projections.

FIG. 3 illustrated a perspective exploded view of an alternativeembodiment in accordance with the present invention in which the parts30, 30′ forming the connecting element 10 have sections 20 withdifferent negative profiles.

What is claimed is:
 1. Connecting element (10) for holding at least oneprofiled belt end, the connecting element (10) comprising at least twoseparate parts (30, 30′) which are structured and arranged to beconnected to one another and in an installed state enclose the belt endtherebetween, wherein one or more of the parts are (30, 30′) hassections (20) each provided with a negative profiling corresponding tothe profile of the belt end, the parts are structured and arranged toreceive the belt end inserted into one or more of the parts (30, 30′) insuch a way that the connection is form-locking in all directions thatdeviate from the direction of the joint, and in order to connect beltends with different profiles the parts (30,30′) have sections (20) withdifferent negative profiles.
 2. Connecting element (10) according toclaim 1, wherein the parts (30, 30′) of the connecting element (10) areprovided with aligned bores (50) to hold screws (52).
 3. Connectingelement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the parts (30,30′) of theconnecting element (10) comprise pins (40) and pin holes (42) whereinfor every pin (40) on one of the parts (30) a corresponding pin hole(42) is provided on a part to be connected.
 4. Connecting element (10)according to claim 1, wherein the connection between an inserted beltend and one or more of the parts (30, 30′) of the connecting element(10) is force-locking in the direction of the joint.
 5. Connectingelement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sections (20) withnegative profiling have stops (70) for lateral guiding of the belt end.6. Connecting element (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least onerecess (80) or groove is provided to hold a driver.
 7. Connectingelement (10) according to claim 6, wherein said at least one recess (80)or groove is provided at a middle of the part (30, 30′) in alongitudinal direction.
 8. Connecting element (10) according to claim 1,wherein the parts (30,30′) of the connecting element (10) comprise pins(40) and pin holes (42) wherein for every pin (40) on one of the parts(30) a corresponding pin hole (42) is provided on a part to be connected(30′).
 9. Connecting element (10) according to claim 1, wherein theconnection is form-locking in all the directions deviating from thedirection of the joint in that the inserted belt end on a side oppositethe negative profiling is bounded by a side of the section (20) of theopposite, separate part (30) which can be flat or profiled. 10.Connecting element (10) according to claim 1, comprising two parts(30,30′) with one of the parts (30′) provided with a profiled section(20) and other of the parts (30) not having a profiled section andstructured and arranged to serve as a cover.
 11. Connecting element (10)according to claim 1, wherein the separate parts (30,30′) are structuredand arranged to continuously contact opposite surfaces of the insertedbelt therebetween in a direction of movement of the belt.
 12. Connectingelement (10) for holding at least one profiled belt end, the connectingelement (10) comprising at least two separate parts (30, 30′) which arestructured and arranged to be connected to one another and in aninstalled state enclose the belt end therebetween, wherein one or moreof the parts (30, 30′) has sections (20) each provided with a negativeprofiling corresponding to the profile of the belt end, the parts arestructured and arranged to receive the belt end inserted into one ormore of the parts (30, 30′) in such a way that the connection isform-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of thejoint, and the parts (30, 30′) possess identical profile sections. 13.Connecting element (10) for holding at least one profiled belt end, theconnecting element (10) comprising at least two separate parts (30, 30′)which are structured and arranged to be connected to one another and inan installed state enclosed the belt end therebetween, wherein one ormore of the parts (30, 30′) has sections (20) each provided with anegative profiling corresponding to the profile of the belt end, theparts are structured and arranged to receive the belt end inserted intoone or more of the parts (30, 30′) in such a way that the connection isform-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of thejoint, and the parts (30, 30′) of the connecting element (10) comprisepins (40) and pin holes (42), wherein for every pin (40) on one of theparts (30) a corresponding pin hole (42) is provided on a part to beconnected (30′).
 14. Connecting element (10) according to claim 13,wherein the outside diameter of the pins (40) and the inside diameter ofthe pin holes (42) are structured and arranged to one another in such away that friction forces to be overcome during joining and loosening ofthe pins (40) from the pin holes (42) exceed the stresses that occurduring operation in the direction of the friction forces.
 15. Connectingelement (10) according to claim 13, wherein the pins (40) are structuredand arranged to be secured in the pin holes (42) by material adhesion.16. Connecting element (10) for holding at least one profiled belt end,the connecting element (10) comprising at least two separate parts (30,30′) which are structured and arranged to be connected to one anotherand in an installed state enclose the belt end therebetween, wherein oneor more of the parts (30, 30′) has sections (20) each provided with anegative profiling corresponding to the profile of the belt end, theparts are structured and arranged to receive the belt end inserted intoone or more of the parts (30, 30′) in such a way that the connection isform-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of thejoint, and the parts (30, 30′) of the connecting element (10) haveflexible projections (60) as well as recesses (62), wherein the flexibleprojections (60) of the one part (30) are structured and arranged toengage in corresponding recesses (62) of a part to be connected (30′).17. Connecting element (10) according to claim 16, wherein to loosen theprojections (60) from the recesses (62), openings (64) are providedwhich extend from outside (12) of the parts (30, 30′) of the connectingelement (10) to the projections (60) in such a way that the openings(64) are in line with the projections (60).
 18. Connecting element (10)according to claim 16, wherein the parts (30,30′) of the connectingelement (10) comprise pins (40) and pin holes (42), wherein for everypin (40) on one of the parts (30) a corresponding pin hole (42) isprovided on a part to be connected (30′).
 19. Connecting element (10)for holding at least one profiled belt end, the connecting element (10)comprising at least two separate parts (30, 30′) which are structuredand arranged to be connected to one another and in an installed stateenclose the belt end therebetween, wherein one or more of the parts (30,30′) has sections (20) each provided with a negative profilingcorresponding to the profile of the belt end, and the parts arestructured and arranged to receive the belt end inserted into one ormore of the parts (30, 30′) in such a way that the connection isform-locking in all directions that deviate from the direction of thejoint, and the shape of the connecting element in the installed state iscylindrical and the outside diameter of the cylinder is shaped to onlyslightly exceed width of an accommodated belt.